Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Exorcism Completed (Edited)
Hearing this, York did not speak but silently took out a needle-firing gun that looked like a pistol, already fitted with a barrel, from his backpack.
His actions were decisive, lifting the needle launcher and firing directly at the defiant Sarah on the bed, in one smooth motion.
Pfft, an invisible fine needle shot into Sarah's shoulder.
"Hee hee!" Sarah tilted her head to look at her shoulder, a sinister smile on her face.
"Since when did God's lapdog priests start using this sort of thing? Where's the cross?"
Her words were filled with mockery.
York maintained a polite smile, standing still, and removed the barrel to replace it with another.
Then... pfft, he shot another needle at Sarah, followed by a third, right under her arrogant gaze.
The first needle contained a hallucinogenic drug, the second a drug to induce instant unconsciousness, and the third a drug to weaken the body.
According to his research, during demon possession, the original host retains some level of consciousness. These three injections could create a chain reaction, protecting the host's consciousness and body from top to bottom.
"Hee hee!" Sarah sneered in disdain.
But before she could gloat, the drugs took effect, and her head, which had been held up high, suddenly drooped, as if she had lost all strength.
"Damn priest, what have you done?" a roar came.
Sarah forced her eyes open, staring dead at York. In that moment, she seemed to lose control over the body.
York still did not speak, leisurely took out a cross, and then walked forward.
"Roar!!!!!!"
Sarah sensed something was wrong and struggled like a beast facing death, but compared to earlier, her movements were weak like a child's, not even shaking the bed, no splash at all.
Seeing this, York smiled. This was the power of science.
In exorcism movies he had seen in his previous life, the possessed needed several strong men to hold them down for the exorcism ritual.
However, to him, a doctor of medicine, the first stage of demon possession merely utilized the original host's strength. The increased strength was just the demon maximizing the use of the host's body, even at the expense of harming the host.
The hallucinogenic drug allowed the host's deeper consciousness to fall into a desired illusion, preventing demonic control. The drugs for unconsciousness and weakness fully relaxed the host's body, making full demonic control costly.
Coming from hell to the human world was not easy; under such circumstances, if a demon could use a third of its strength, it was already at its limit.
"Have you not heard of my reputation in hell?"
York gently pressed the cross soaked in holy water against Sarah's forehead, the whole process effortless.
This cross, blessed by God, was incredibly effective, hinting at the possible existence of God in this world, where demons and evil spirits roamed.
"It shouldn't be, really shouldn't be. I've exorcised demons far stronger and higher-ranking than you, who even thought of seeking revenge. My infamy should have spread throughout hell by now."
"You haven't heard of me, which means you're just a minor character, right?"
York asked, but Sarah couldn't respond. Her forehead began emitting thick smoke, her body's deep screams evident.
"Ah ah ah ah ah!"
The screams were inhuman, like the final cry of a ferocious beast, chilling to the bone.
Meanwhile, a strong wind suddenly arose outside, rattling the windows.
Mrs. Mozang and her husband instinctively huddled together, a hint of fear in their eyes.
York smiled calmly, increasing the output of his magic power.
[York]
[Race: Human]
[Profession: Priest, Pharmacology Professor, Doctor...]
[Overall Physique: 24/24, (Note: Average human is 10)]
[Life: 93/93 (Note: Average human is 10)]
[Spirit: 83/83 (Note: Average human is 10)]
[Magic: 134/134 (Note: Recovers one point of magic every minute)]
[Items: Basic Clerical Robe, Defense 6, Durability: 6/10] ...
With over a hundred points of magic power combined with the cross's effect, York wasn't sure of the exact power but found exorcisms increasingly easy, like drinking water. Demons that once seemed challenging were now trivial.
"Ah ah ah ah ah!!!"
Sarah's eyes and lips were tightly shut, like a sleeping princess, but her body emitted thick screams.
Simultaneously, her neck suddenly showed a skeletal face as if trying to break through the skin to the world.
"Damn priest! Tell me your name."
This was the demon's final struggle, like a dying flash.
York placed his left hand on Sarah's neck, covering the skeletal face, and tilted his head, "Why should I tell you? Go back."
"Roar..."
The wind that blew the doors and curtains stopped instantly, and all returned to calm.
In that moment, the entire environment came alive, the previously oppressive, empty space now had a hint of vitality.
Simultaneously, Sarah's face changed, her deep, dark eye sockets returned to normal, and her previously fierce expression calmed.
This was a beautiful sleeping beauty, as it should be.
[10 points of magic used]
[Exorcism: Rescue the girl from the hands of a demon (Mission Completed)]
[Reward: +5 points issued]
"Aunt Mozang seemed to notice, "York... Father York?"
York shook his somewhat warm hand, withdrawing the cross from Sarah's forehead, made the sign of the cross to add prestige, and gently said.
"Sarah is now well."
"Really?" Mrs. Mozang seemed on the verge of tears.
York nodded, looking at Sarah with a smile. "Sarah is still sleeping due to the medication. She should wake up tonight."
"OMG, my Sarah." Mrs. Mozang quickly went to hold Sarah's hand, touching her face.
Watching her peacefully sleeping daughter, Mrs. Mozang's tears welled up in her eyes.
Mr. Sandy, more composed, didn't immediately rush to the bedside but first sincerely thanked York.
"Thank you, Father York, very much appreciated."
His eyes were slightly moist, clearly his heart was not as calm as he appeared.
York shook his head, tucking the cross back into his robe.
"Exorcism is my duty. Now that it's resolved, I should leave."
The church has regular tasks, although the reward is only +0.5 points, but every little bit adds up to a terrifying number over time.
"If there's anything else, you can call me, no need to come in person."
Seeing him about to leave, the old man quickly took off the cross. "Father!! Your cross!!"
"No need to return it, this is a gift from the Lord to you."
York smiled, picked up his backpack, and turned to leave.
Mrs. Mozang and her husband exchanged a look, gently touched the sleeping Sarah with tenderness and affection, then hurriedly followed York's steps.
She couldn't ignore the priest's help.